Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

DONATE TODAY

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
2 ratings

Friday - April 02, 2010

From: Georgetown, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Evergreen tree to provide block for treehouse in Central Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I live close to Austin TX and need an evergreen tree to block neighbor's newly constructed, metal roof tree house. It looms over our garden and yard - can you suggest a nice evergreen tree for hot morning sun with afternoon partial shade? Our soil is rocky and alkaline. Thanks.

ANSWER:

Here evergreen trees native to the Austin/Georgetown area.  All of these grow to at least 25 feet high.

Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar) and here is more information

Quercus fusiformis (plateau oak)

Ilex vomitoria (yaupon)

Condalia hookeri (Brazilian bluewood) and here is more information

Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel)

Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurelcherry)

Here are some smaller native evergreen trees/shrubs that could also work. These all grow to around 12 feet high.

Garrya ovata (eggleaf silktassel)

Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) There are dwarf varieties of wax myrtle so, if you purchase one from a nursery, you need to check carefully to avoid getting one of these.

Rhus virens (evergreen sumac)

Here are photos of the above from our Image Gallery:


Juniperus virginiana

Quercus fusiformis

Ilex vomitoria

Condalia hookeri

Sophora secundiflora

Prunus caroliniana

Garrya ovata

Morella cerifera

Rhus virens

 

 
 

More Trees Questions

Is bald cypress native to Dallas area?
September 19, 2009 - There are 2 very large bald cypress trees growing beside one another at a park in North Dallas, and I was wondering if they were native or planted a long time ago by the settlers or something. They ar...
view the full question and answer

Looking for plants for phytoremediation in Columbus, TX
May 27, 2015 - Hello! I am looking for native Texan phytodegrading/rhizodegrading plants (basically I want phytoremediating plants that could be left in place and not have to be removed/disposed of after they had ta...
view the full question and answer

Why isn't my recently planted Mexican Redbud growing in Georgetown, TX?
April 11, 2010 - I planted a container-grown Mexican Redbud in early March. As of April 5th, it is showing no signs of buds or leaves. Other redbuds in the area (possibly Texas redbuds) have been blooming for severa...
view the full question and answer

Non-native Sago palm roots damaging house foundation from Keystone Heights FL
July 03, 2013 - Will sago palms roots hurt a house's foundation if too close?
view the full question and answer

Defining drip line on trees from Austin
August 08, 2011 - When you say that trees should be watered at the "drip line," do you mean that literally? I assume that the drip line means at the outside edge of the leaves or branches. Does that mean that waterin...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.